Dogs, owners train in new canine sport

Akron man leads six-week class on ball game

Journal-Advocate staff

Posted:
03/13/2013 11:07:07 AM MDT

Dozer, the Peetz School mascot, is pushing a Pilates ball at the direction of Judy Scott, owner and trainer. Dogs pushing or herding a ball with nose and shoulders is a big part of the Treibball experience. (Courtesy photo)

PEETZ -- Five people, residents of Peetz and Sidney, Neb., and their dogs recently completed a 6-week beginner class on Treibball in Peetz, led by trainer Rich Mullaney of Akron.

Treibball (pronounced Tribe-ball) is a new, positive-reinforcement, competitive sport for dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds, who love to play chase games or who just love to herd. Fun and communication between the human and canine partners is the true essence of the game. Treibball consists of the dog working off-leash and obeying the handler's commands -- verbal, cues, whistles or hand signals -- to use his nose or shoulders and ultimately to drive eight balls into a goal, within 10 minutes.

The dogs have been working on pushing a Pilates ball with the nose or shoulder and getting into proper position in order to push the ball directly to their owners.

According to Tammy Fehringer, whose dog Logan is trained on herding sheep and cattle, "Treibball has similarities to herding animals but the balls do not move on their own as do stock and some of the concepts are a bit different but getting your dog to learn new sports is always good for the dog and yourself."

Judy Scott, owner of Dozer the bulldog who serves as the Peetz School mascot, says "I see Dozer pushing a ball across a court or ball field by next year. Even with Dozer's handicap -- deafness -- we are learning to work together with signs to get him to follow my commands.

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Several of the students and their dogs are planning to continue their training and plans are being to developed to start Treibball Training II in late March.

Mullaney, of Wildland Dog Training, is only the 35th person to be certified by American Treibball Association. The sport is growing and events are being planned for continual learning and competition for owners and their dogs. For planned events and see videos of Treibball activities, go to americantreibballassociation.org or contact Rich Mullaney at (970) 345-2711.

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